Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar criticised Australia all-rounder Marcus Stoinis for insinuating that Mohammad Hasnain was flipping the coin. Stoinis rolled his arms over as he returned to the dugout following his dismissal by the 22-year-old Pakistan bowler in a Hundred match between the Southern Brave and the Oval Invincibles, which spectators and pundits misinterpreted for Hasnanin throwing. Fans lambasted Stoinis, who represents the Southern Brave in the Hundred, for allegedly copying Hasnain’s bowling action, but Shoaib Akhtar was the toughest critic.
Akhtar called Stoinis’ behaviour “shameful,” and he requested the ICC to intervene because “no athlete should be permitted to do such things.” “During #TheHundred2022, Marcus Stoinis made a terrible gesture in reaction to Mohammad Hasnain’s bowling motion. How could you possibly do such things? Of course, the ICC keeps mum on the matter. If someone has already been cleared, no player should be allowed to perform such activities.” On Twitter, Akhtar shared a photo collage of Stoinis and Hasnain.
Shameful gesture by @MStoinis regarding bowling action of @MHasnainPak during #TheHundred2022 . How dare you do such things?? Ofcourse @ICC stays quiet about them.
No player should be allowed to do such things if someone's been cleared already. pic.twitter.com/5idGdBqcUf— Shoaib Akhtar (@shoaib100mph) August 16, 2022
Stoinis isn’t the first Australian to criticise Hasnain’s bowling action. Moises Henriques accused the bowler of doing the same thing during the previous Big Bash League season. Henriques said to Hasnain after a bouncer, “Nice throw, mate!”
Hasnain was found guilty of engaging in illegal behaviour, which was uncovered after a Big Bash League umpire reported it. However, the Pakistani fast bowler has been cleared to bowl again after correcting his technique and angle of release, whilst Stoinis may face disciplinary action for his on-field behaviour.